How to say "primitive" in Japanese

• 原生げんせいCommon
  no-adjectiveCovers 'primitive' in the sense of primeval or pristine, especially of the natural world and geological or biological contexts. It suggests an original, undisturbed state rather than lack of development.
• 未開みかいJLPT N1approx.Common
  no-adjectiveCovers 'primitive' meaning uncivilized or savage, applied to societies, peoples, or conditions seen as lacking civilization. The judgment is built into the word, so it can sound disparaging.
  その当時とうじ、そこには未開みかい民族みんぞくが住すんでいた。↗

  A savage tribe lived there in those days.
• 原始げんしJLPT N2approx.Common
  no-adjectiveThe usual choice for 'primitive' meaning primeval or primordial — the earliest stage of things, as in primitive life, tools, or societies. It describes an early stage of development, often neutrally or scientifically.
  その人類学じんるいがく者しゃは原始げんし文化ぶんかに関かんする講演こうえんをした。↗

  The anthropologist delivered a lecture on primitive cultures.
• 幼稚ようちJLPT N2approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounCovers only the figurative, critical sense of 'primitive' as crude, simplistic, or immature, e.g. primitive methods or arguments. Its core meaning is childish, so it is unsuited to primeval or anthropological senses.
  幼稚ようちな説得せっとくとは、人ひとをしつこく唆そそのかすことだ。↗

  Crude persuasion is to persistently egg someone on.

For 'primitive', choose 原始 for primeval/early stages, 原生 for pristine natural or geological contexts, 未開 for uncivilized peoples or societies, and 幼稚 only for the derogatory 'crude or immature' sense.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 原生げんせいprimeval
• 未開みかいuncivilized
• 原げんoriginal
• プリミティブprimitive
• 原始的げんしてきprimitive
• 原初的げんしょてきearly
• 根源的こんげんてきprimordial
• 原始げんしprimeval
• 幼稚ようちchildish